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Comparing Cooking Institutes
By now you should have made a decision regarding the type of degree that you wish to attain, and if you would like to enroll in a private or a public institute. Since there are numerous cooking programs in the Auburn area and across the USA, you will want to create a checklist of important qualifiers so that you can start limiting your choices. Some obvious qualifications, for example cost and location are an excellent place to start. But choosing a school because it is the closest or the most affordable is not the ideal way to make a decision regarding your education. There are other criteria, such as accreditation and reputation that you must review as well. So following are some critical areas that you need to research for every school as you compare them and make your ultimate decision.
Accreditation. It's important that the cooking college you select has some form of accreditation from either a regional or a national authority. As mentioned previously, the accrediting agency should be a U.S. Department of Education certified organization, such as the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF accredited schools have passed a comprehensive assessment regarding their course of study, teachers and facilities. So not only does accreditation help ensure that you will receive excellent training, but it can also assist in acquiring a student loan or financial aid which are often not available for non-accredited schools.
Age. Recently established schools generally have the benefit of possessing modern equipment and facilities. However, they may not have been open long enough to garner an accreditation or to cultivate a reputation. Conversely, older schools may still be using their original, dated equipment, but have established a lengthy history of excellence and obtained one or more accreditations. Also, the much more a school has operated, the more graduates the school can reach out to for its job assistance program. Naturally there is some give and take based on the age of the culinary arts schools. And older, more highly regarded schools typically modernize their facilities and equipment. The important lesson is that in the best case scenario, your chosen school will have an excellent reputation, accreditation and a state-of-the-art facility with modern equipment.
Job Placement Rates. First off, find out what the graduation rates are for the cooking colleges you are reviewing. Lower graduation rates are red flags that a number of students were unhappy with either the schools or the training and dropped out. They might also suggest that the instructors were not competent to teach the curriculum. Request that the schools provide their job placement rates also. If a college has a higher job placement rate, it will help affirm that it has a good or exceptional reputation within the cooking community, in addition to a broad network of professional connections. Be suspicious of any school that will not supply this information.
Location. The culinary college that you choose must be within driving distance of your Auburn home, unless you are able to move. You may look into attending classes online, but you would still need to travel for your externship training. On the other hand, perhaps you have decided to enroll in a particular culinary institute located in another state due to its ranking and courses offered. It would be a wise decision to check out the facility before enrolling, to make sure that you are satisfied with the area and your potential living conditions. Inspect the training facilities personally to make certain they are up to date and that the equipment is contemporary. Consider also that a number of schools concentrate their job assistance programs within their regional communities, so pick a location where you will be happy working.
Class Sizes. The best approach to learn how to cook is with lots of personalized training. If the culinary institute you enroll in has large classes, you will most likely get minimal personal attention from the teachers. The best means to assess the interaction and communication between faculty and students is to audit a few of the classes. Ask a couple of the students what their experience has been. Find out if they are happy with the level of attention they get in class as well as the entire course of training. Also, talk with several of the teachers and learn what their teaching approaches are along with their backgrounds and qualifications.
Flexible Class Schedules. There is no point in enrolling in a culinary program if you will not be able to attend the classes. So make certain that the school you pick has available class scheduling that can fit in with your hectic lifestyle. If you can only attend in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays near Auburn NY because of your job schedule, confirm that the school you pick offers either night or weekend classes. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the culinary institute has a part-time offering. Also, check to see what the make-up policy is if you have to miss a class due to work, family or other obligations.
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